A global transition to 100 percent renewable electricity, far from being a long-term vision, is happening now, the study says. It is the work of Finland's Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) and the Energy Watch Group (EWG).

The year 2015 was an extraordinary one for renewable energy, with the largest global capacity additions seen to date, although challenges remain, particularly beyond the power sector. Total installed capacity accounts for 785 GW (not including hydro) and 1849 GW (hydro included). Net annual investment is around $286 billion. For details please see REN21 Global Status Report 2016.

IRENA’s global roadmap provides an in-depth perspective on the energy transition in 40 economies, representing 80% of global energy use. It offers concrete technology options and outlines solutions to accelerate renewable energy growth. Doubling renewables in the global energy mix by 2030 is not only feasible, but cheaper than not doing so. Economic savings would far exceed the costs. It would create more jobs, boost economic growth and save millions of lives annually through reduced air pollution.

Electricity markets are undergoing massive transformation, as the push for low-carbon power generation shifts the industry towards high investment in renewables and other new technologies even as demand stagnates or declines in many countries. The recent study by IEA offers guidance to governments, regulators, companies and investors on how to transition to low-carbon generation.

The 1.2 billion people living without access to the power grid spend about $27 billion annually on lighting and mobile-phone charging with kerosene, candles, battery torches or other fossil-fuel powered stopgap technologies. Solar-powered portable lights and home kits offer a better service at lower cost. For details please see the report by Lighting Global, a joint initiative of IFC and the World Bank.

The 1.2 billion people living without access to the power grid spend about $27 billion annually on lighting and mobile-phone charging with kerosene, candles, battery torches or other fossil-fuel powered stopgap technologies. Solar-powered portable lights and home kits offer a better service at lower cost. For details please see the report by Lighting Global, a joint initiative of IFC and the World Bank: http://bit.ly/1TS9JWI.The 1.2 billion people living without access to the power grid spend about $27 billion annually on lighting and mobile-phone charging with kerosene, candles, battery torches or other fossil-fuel powered stopgap technologies. Solar-powered portable lights and home kits offer a better service at lower cost. For details please see the report by Lighting Global, a joint initiative of IFC and the World Bank: http://bit.ly/1TS9JWI.

The last decade (2004 – 2014) saw a steady increase in the global demand for renewable energy. While overall primary energy supply from renewables in 2004 was 57.7 EJ per year, by 2013 the total supply had grown to 76 EJ annually — an overall increase of 30%. Development of renewables is described in a report by REN21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century) "10 years of renewable energy progress".

Pointing to the great promise renewables hold for affordably mitigating climate change and enhancing energy security, the report by an International Energy Agency warns governments to reduce policy uncertainties that are acting as brakes on greater deployment.

To download the executive summary of the Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2015, please click here.

IRENA The Age of Renewable Power Report: renewable generation capacity accounted for 1,828 gigawatts (GW) in 2014, compared to around 1,500 GW of gas-fired power station and 1,880 GW of coal-fired power station globally. The majority of power generation comes from hydropower (1,172 GW), followed by wind power (370 GW), and solar photovoltaics (175 GW). In particular, the share of variable renewable energy from solar photovoltaics and wind power is expected to increase from 3% of annual generation production in 2014 to around 20% by 2030. This development will have profound impacts on how our power systems are operated, managed, financed and governed.

Summary of the report can found here.

REN21's Renewables Global Status Report (GSR) 2015 states that in 2014, renewable energy expanded significantly in terms of capacity installed and energy produced, with renewable energy investments in the power sector outpacing net investments in fossil fuel power plants.

There is a rising awareness worldwide that renewable energy and energy efficiency are critical not only for addressing climate change, but also for creating new economic opportunities and for providing energy access to the billions of people still living without modern energy services.

To download full report.

EY in its report "Renewable energy country attractiveness index. March 2015" presents ranking 40 countries in terms of their attractiveness for investing in renewable energy opportunities and the availability of renewable energy.

The report includes 40 participating countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States.

Detailed report can be found here

International Energy Agency (IEA) states that energy efficiency, many types of renewable energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS), nuclear power and new transport technologies will all require widespread deployment if we are to achieve a global energy-related CO2 target in 2050 of 50% below current levels and limit global temperature rise by 2050 to 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

IEA is leading the development of a series of technology roadmaps which identify the steps needed to accelerate the implementation of technology changes. These roadmaps will enable governments, industry and financial partners to make the right choices – and in turn help societies to make the right decision.

Download PV-technology roadmap.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA, 2015) has set out to produce comprehensive, reliable data sets on renewable energy capacity and use worldwide. The first such data set shows renewable power-generation capacity for 2000-2014.

Charts highlighting key data are available here.